BYU Football Injury Report Entering Clash With Liberty
Oct 19, 2022, 1:18 AM
BYU football is expecting to get running back Miles Davis back from an injury. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football is looking to get back on track as they travel to Lynchburg, Virginia, to face the Liberty Flames.
After dropping a pair of games, BYU currently sits at 4-3 overall on the season with five games remaining. Liberty is 6-1 and has already qualified for a bowl game.
The matchup of two faith-based universities has taken on more significance than anyone would have guessed coming into the year.
Injuries always play a significant role in any college football matchup. Here is the latest with BYU football as they prepare for the Flames.
Running back stable is returning
BYU had an unusual setup at running back against Arkansas. The Cougars were down to three ball carriers (Chris Brooks, Mason Fakahua, Hinckley Ropati), so wide receiver Puka Nacua got a lot of opportunities to carry the ball.
The lack of ball carriers was due to Lopini Katoa and Miles Davis being out. Both are returning this week, according to offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. Katoa was sidelined last week due to concussion protocol and Miles Davis was dealing with a reported shin injury he suffered against Utah State.
Davis had a career-high 13 carries for 131 yards in a win over Wyoming on September 24. He could be the ball carrier of the future for BYU when they go into the Big 12 Conference.
One BYU football ball carrier isn’t returning
BYU running back Jackson McChesney is out for the season with an undisclosed injury. McChesney appeared in two games this year. It’s the second season-ending injury for McChesney, who has been plagued with injuries during his career.
Season-ending injury for reserve tight end
BYU lost reserve tight end Lane Lunt for the season due to an undisclosed injury. Lunt posted an image of himself on a hospital bed on his personal Instagram account with the caption, “A LITTLE ADVERSITY NEVER KILLED NOBODY‼️ we gunna be alright cuz all I know how to do is FIGHT. Thank you for all the prayers.”
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Gunner Romney is questionable
Senior wide receiver Gunner Romney is questionable for Saturday against Liberty.
Romney was carted to the locker room in the fourth quarter of the loss to Notre Dame. After the game, Romney went to a Las Vegas hospital for a precautionary visit as he was only in his second game back after suffering a lacerated kidney injury. Romney was never admitted to the hospital that weekend in Vegas on October 8.
“So, luckily, it wasn’t as bad as what we expected it was going to be. I’m questionable for this week,” Romney said to the KSL Sports Zone on Tuesday. “You know, I’m fighting back to play this week. It’s a real opportunity. I’ll make the trip regardless of what’s happening because I feel like it’s a game-time decision.”
Payton Wilgar is doubtful
Starting ROVER linebacker Payton Wilgar is doubtful to play this Saturday against Liberty, according to head coach Kalani Sitake. Wilgar left the game against Arkansas early and went to the locker room. He was in a boot after the game.
On Tuesday, after practice, KSL Sports did not see Wilgar walk off the practice field.
Payton Wilgar has now left the field with trainers and is heading to the locker room.#ARKvsBYU #BYU #BYUFootball
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 15, 2022
BYU’s backup to Wilgar at ROVER is Jackson Kaufusi and then after Kaufusi is true freshman Tate Romney, who has dressed for games but has only appeared in one game. That was the blowout win over USF in the season opener.
To be determined on BYU DL Blake Mangelson
Heading into the Arkansas game, BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki said that defensive end Blake Mangelson was “a week or two out” from playing. On Tuesday, when asked if his defense would be “getting any more bodies back this week,” Tuiaki replied, “We’re actually probably going to be missing more.”
BYU vs. Liberty
Location: Williams Stadium (Lynchburg, Virginia)
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM – Extended Pregame begins at 11 a.m.)
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
